) The goal of the build is to modify and customize a Zaku kit, any Zaku. So here was my attempt. I've not done much if any scratch building and I made loads of mistakes, but it was a fun build.
Unmodified kit from dalong.net:
I picked it because most HG Zakus have horrid seams down the forearms except for this one.
It did have a horrid seam on the shoulder, though.
I want to give it some wings, a solar collector and heat dissipater arrangement. First step is modify the backpack to make room for a Gunpla Builders part:
I took a rifle from the Gundam the Origin Zaku I Denim/Slender. The gun had seams down the top and bottom as it just sandwiches together. Whatever I couldn't get with TET and sanding I got with some Tamiya putty:
Primed with Stynylrez/Ultimate Grey, then painted with Mr Color lacquer. Mahogany/White/Black/Khaki for the dark brown, Olive Drab 1/White/Bright Green for the light brown, and Yellow/White/Orange for the yellow.
Metal bits are Alclad Magnesium:
I cut a shape for a bee to put on the shoulder shield:
Missed a seam on the ankle armor, so I had to go back and fill that with some TET and sanding (just melt the plastic and press until beads form, sand away.) then re-primed.
Painted up the bee:
Now the tricky bit, the wings. I wanted to cut shapes with sheet styrene then glue together. I made a template for each layer and did them twice. Looking back, I should have glued the layers then cut as matching and sanding them to form was a pain in the butt later.
...And holes for some external tanks:
The wings are in two pieces on a hinge so they can open and close, one surface I etched in some radiator lines and the other I used an etching template to paint some silver then clear yellow for a honeycomb solar cell look. I hoped. Sadly my chisel slipped more than once...something I need to learn some control with...and left me with a couple ditches that I had no time to fill.
A few decals from Bandai later, some sponged on Citadel Boltgun Metal for weathering, and a Dullcote later we're done!
I wish I had more shots but I was building this for something else so I didn't document it all. Anyway, reveal link: viewtopic.php?f=569&t=22017
